Episode 208 – 4 Years of The Jackson Hole Connection with Stephan Abrams and Michael Moeri
In this special episode, Stephan and Michael take a look back on the past 4 years of doing the podcast. Michael Moeri is the editor and marketing director of The Jackson Hole Connection.
In this episode, Stephan and Michael talk about some of the unexpected life stories, funny guests, and heartfelt conversations of the past year. They discuss how life can sometimes make it a struggle to create a weekly podcast and what motivates them to share new stories each week. Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters, we couldn’t do this podcast without you.
We’d love to hear from you. Give us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts, follow us on Instagram and Facebook or send an email to connect@thejacksonholeconnection.com.
Quite a few past episodes were mentioned in this week’s episode, below are some quick links to use as a reference:
Episode 203 – A Chat with Our Friends of the Bridger-Teton with Scott Kosiba
Episode 200 – Saving Homes with Esther Judge-Lennox of Shacks on Racks
Episode 199 – Helping People with Disabilities Find Adventure featuring Joe Stone of Teton Adaptive
Episode 197 – Living a Happy Life in Jackson Hole with Hal Johnson
Episode 195 – Brain Health Starts in the Kitchen with Annie Fenn
Episode 194 – Becoming Radically Generous with John Hamon
Episode 186 – The Worm Cowboy featuring Stefano Daza Arango
Episode 184 – Creating the World’s Finest Snowshapes with Mikey Franco
Episode 182 – Beyond Skid Cooking featuring Lily Krass and Max Ritter
Episode 169 – Keeping Jackson Laughing with Brian Lenz
This week’s episode is sponsored in part by Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling is reminding residents and small businesses that the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is open on select days, through the end of October, by appointment only. To safely and responsibly dispose of household chemicals or other substances that pose a danger to our environment, visit tetoncountywy.gov/recycle to schedule your appointment today! More at @RoadToZeroWaste.JH
Support also comes from The Jackson Hole Wine Club. Curating quality wine selections delivered to you each month. Enjoy delicious wines at amazing prices. More at JacksonHoleWineClub.com
Want to be a guest on The Jackson Hole Connection? Email us at connect@thejacksonholeconnection.com. Marketing and editing support by Michael Moeri (michaelmoeri.com)
Transcript
You are tuned into the Jackson hole, connection, sharing, fascinating stories of people connected to Jackson Hole.
Stephan Abrams:I am truly grateful for each of you for tuning in today and support for this podcast comes from:
Stephan Abrams:Learning and reading is really important to me.
Stephan Abrams:It hasn't always been important to me because my childhood was tough.
Stephan Abrams:I was a challenged learner and a challenge reader, but.
Stephan Abrams:I've grown into adulthood.
Stephan Abrams:I've come to appreciate reading much more.
Stephan Abrams:And when I read, I write down quotes and enjoy listening to them and reflecting back on those quotes and in, respect for Queen Elizabeth II I'm gonna provide a quote from her today.
Stephan Abrams:When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat.
Stephan Abrams:Instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.
Stephan Abrams:And that is Queen Elizabeth II.
Stephan Abrams:thank you for her service.
Stephan Abrams:And she was an inspiring person of how she gave her life to the crown and to the British.
Stephan Abrams:And today you are listening to episode number 208 today's episode is a recap of the past four years and of the past year.
Stephan Abrams:That's right.
Stephan Abrams:I've been doing this podcast now for four years and thank you all for listening.
Stephan Abrams:All of you.
Stephan Abrams:Alumni of listeners and all of you, new listeners.
Stephan Abrams:I appreciate it.
Stephan Abrams:Please get out there and share this podcast.
Stephan Abrams:If you find an episode which has inspired you, easy to share through whatever device you use to listen, sharing is caring.
Stephan Abrams:That's kind of funny, huh.
Stephan Abrams:But, really it helps me know that people are listening and, getting some value out of these podcast episodes and.
Stephan Abrams:Today, Michael and I sit down and recap what has happened over the past four years, but also in the past year as well.
Stephan Abrams:It's amazing how fast time goes.
Stephan Abrams:I'm a friend of mine, RI Kowski said to me, when Lewis was really young, we were at a playground and he said, remember, Stephan, the days are long and the years are short.
Stephan Abrams:And he's just so, so true that.
Stephan Abrams:Days just seem so long and it just, before you know, it, it flies right by you.
Stephan Abrams:So if you have children, give them hugs, whoever is in your life, give them all hugs and look at 'em tell 'em you love 'em and you care for 'em buy your significant other, a random, thoughtful gift, some flowers.
Stephan Abrams:If they're allergic to flowers.
Stephan Abrams:I'm a smoothie.
Stephan Abrams:Just something to say, I'm thinking about you today.
Stephan Abrams:And when you're in that line for coffee or free of your smoothie, maybe say, you know what, the person behind me, I'm gonna get their coffee too.
Stephan Abrams:Just a little bit of random kindness, spread all around, helps build us all up.
Stephan Abrams:thank you all for listening and supporting again.
Stephan Abrams:And 208 episodes, four years.
Stephan Abrams:I'm deeply honor.
Stephan Abrams:That you invite me into your day each and every week.
Stephan Abrams:And I could not do this without your support and the letters of kindness and enjoyment that you received from the podcast.
Stephan Abrams:So thank you,
Stephan Abrams:All right, Michael.
Stephan Abrams:Welcome to the Jackson hole connection.
Stephan Abrams:This is our four year recap.
Stephan Abrams:We've been working together for four years.
Stephan Abrams:Thank you for putting up with me for four years.
Stephan Abrams:And most importantly, keeping me on track.
Stephan Abrams:I try,
Michael Moeri:I try.
Michael Moeri:You're a busy man, so it's, uh, hard to keep you on track sometimes.
Stephan Abrams:Well, I think we're all busy, Michael.
Stephan Abrams:It's just, you know, am I sedentary?
Stephan Abrams:No, I don't have grass growing around my feet.
Stephan Abrams:I say that
Michael Moeri:yeah.
Michael Moeri:I can't believe it's been four years.
Michael Moeri:I, I still remember our first conversation sitting outside of cowboy coffee I I'm just so impressed with you stuff and keeping it going four years for a podcast in general.
Michael Moeri:That's really impressive.
Michael Moeri:And.
Michael Moeri:We've only missed a few weeks in this four year time span.
Michael Moeri:So, kudos to both of us, I'd say.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:Kudos.
Stephan Abrams:Well, I think I we're just gonna pat ourselves on the back of this whole episode.
Stephan Abrams:Yep.
Stephan Abrams:uh, well, I remember you once said that, you were even going camping at times and you had to see if the campground where you're at had wifi.
Stephan Abrams:So you could.
Stephan Abrams:edit and publish the episode at the LA because I'm so last minute with things
Michael Moeri:yeah, no, yeah.
Michael Moeri:Or to have to drive into the town quickly and make sure it gets uploaded.
Michael Moeri:Yeah.
Michael Moeri:Yeah, no, it's definitely been, um, something that has been on top of mind for the past four years, which is good.
Michael Moeri:It's kept me on track for, being able to put out some quality content and be connected to Jackson hole, especially now that I'm.
Michael Moeri:There anymore.
Michael Moeri:So it's been something that's keep me tied to the community as well.
Stephan Abrams:I'm, very happy to hear that you still feel tied to the community and the community still welcomes you with open arms.
Stephan Abrams:I can tell you over the past four years, Even though I've only missed a few weeks, maybe a few episodes.
Stephan Abrams:There have been times that it's been a real struggle.
Stephan Abrams:not just from the side of having a guest.
Stephan Abrams:I mean, it's been down to the line like.
Stephan Abrams:As I'm recording in the afternoon on Wednesday to get you the episode to edit.
Stephan Abrams:So it can go live on Thursday, but there's ups and downs.
Stephan Abrams:It's just, I'm a real person, just like anybody else out there.
Stephan Abrams:And sometimes I'm like, Ugh, it's a slog doing this.
Stephan Abrams:I don't know if I can do it this week.
Stephan Abrams:I don't know what to come up with to do right.
Stephan Abrams:I write the introduction and then I read it to record it.
Stephan Abrams:It's like, oh, I can't do this.
Stephan Abrams:I don't know if I can.
Stephan Abrams:And so it it's a struggle at times to, to keep it going.
Stephan Abrams:But when I hear back from people about what they received from the interview, receiving an email that you pass on to me, or even when I hear of somebody's story and, and I think of a big example, with that as with S Stephano Durango, the worm cowboy mm-hmm . And I went into that interview, thinking of Stephano as
Stephan Abrams:And then he talks.
Stephan Abrams:I think it's spine bifida.
Stephan Abrams:all the surgeries that he had as a child, he has an autoimmune disease.
Stephan Abrams:and then he and his mom were held hostage in Venezuela and that's what prompted them to move from Venezuela to the us.
Stephan Abrams:It's like, whoa, me struggling just to do an introduction.
Stephan Abrams:And this, this guy is still moving.
Stephan Abrams:Has all of these.
Stephan Abrams:Challenges barriers put forth to him in life and he's still going and he's creating his own business, which is no small feat in
Michael Moeri:itself that reminds me of the Joe Stone interview as well when he was talking about his struggle and then people trying to relate and like, oh man, I shouldn't be complaining about this.
Michael Moeri:But even, even Joe Stone was saying like, that's your struggle.
Michael Moeri:I, the comparing of the struggles isn't necessarily something that you wanna do stuff
Stephan Abrams:And, It was grounding for me to hear that from Joe, who is, strong, strong athlete.
Stephan Abrams:And he was somebody who took risks.
Stephan Abrams:He had a major accident and there were consequences to taking those risk.
Stephan Abrams:You know what he still got back into the saddle and is fighting for himself and for him to live life at the level that he can live life.
Stephan Abrams:And it is remarkable.
Stephan Abrams:He accomplishes more as a paraplegic, a person who lives in a wh.
Stephan Abrams:Then most people who have no injuries whatsoever and yeah, you can't compare one person's problems to another person's because they are all unique to the individual.
Stephan Abrams:So
Michael Moeri:Stephan, I'm gonna turn the table on you a little bit, as we do in our recap episodes here, ask you a few questions and pick your brain a little bit about the past year and the past four years of doing this podcast.
Stephan Abrams:I, I wish you all the luck because usually I don't remember anything past 10 minutes ago.
Michael Moeri:let's see what we can dig up.
Stephan Abrams:My wife was like, did you hear me?
Stephan Abrams:I'm like what?
Stephan Abrams:yeah, that's, I'll stay focused on what you're asking me.
Stephan Abrams:Michael.
Stephan Abrams:All right.
Michael Moeri:Do your best, do your best.
Michael Moeri:I know you have a, a sick kiddo, so don't worry if, uh, something slips your mind here.
Michael Moeri:so within the past year, what do you think is the biggest takeaway you've had, uh, within your guest interviews?
Michael Moeri:Was there anything that was kind of like an overarching theme or you think everything was just completely different than the previous
Stephan Abrams:years?
Stephan Abrams:Um, I, I think it goes back to when I interviewed Ste O I thought I was just talking to somebody about his business and the worm cowboy.
Stephan Abrams:And then I, I got a whole nother side of a, of a life story and it just shows that the more we take time to talk to people, the more that we really learn who that individual is.
Stephan Abrams:And.
Stephan Abrams:Again, going back to what Joe said about your problem is your problem.
Stephan Abrams:My problem is my problem.
Stephan Abrams:I can't compare the two, that has helped me just be a more mindful person.
Stephan Abrams:It's also helped me, be better at practicing gratitudes, you know, writing that out.
Stephan Abrams:When I do that during the day, It inspires me more to say, I might be sore or having an ache or a pain today, but I'm gonna get up and, and just go do it.
Stephan Abrams:And, and then also learning from a gentleman, Hal Johnson.
Stephan Abrams:I've known how for, for many, many years now, and I've had the honor to go to his house.
Stephan Abrams:He cooked a fried chicken one time over at his house and.
Stephan Abrams:Here's how Johnson and he comes in and I just got the best hug that I had had in so many weeks, other than from what I get from my kids and my wife.
Stephan Abrams:But I'm a person who likes to hug and just getting that unconditional hug of friendship from how I, I hope more people can allow themselves to be.
Stephan Abrams:I don't know if it's being vulnerable.
Stephan Abrams:But if you're not a hugger, allow yourself to hug because it can bring so much joy to you by receiving that.
Stephan Abrams:When I go work out at the gym, one of the training coaches is Charlie shingle.
Stephan Abrams:He's a hugger, Charlie's a big guy.
Stephan Abrams:Like he's just a, a stalky guy and he gives you a big old bear hug.
Stephan Abrams:And it, it just a great way to start the.
Stephan Abrams:It's six 30 in the morning.
Michael Moeri:So over the past year, was there like a nonprofit that you had never heard of that we've actually had on the show?
Michael Moeri:Or have you heard of most of the nonprofit guests that we had?
Stephan Abrams:Hmm, that's a good question.
Stephan Abrams:I know I learned more about the nonprofits.
Stephan Abrams:I think I was pretty aware of the nonprofits that were out there.
Stephan Abrams:with Joe's him, the rebranding that he's working on with the Teton adaptive sports is working on to change it to Teton adaptive.
Stephan Abrams:and then I think last year was Coombs outdoors.
Stephan Abrams:It used to be Coombs, outdoors, sports, or, and their re been rebranding.
Stephan Abrams:but certainly more insight into what the organization does.
Stephan Abrams:has, has been very helpful.
Stephan Abrams:Another interesting one because we're working, we're volunteering for them, friends of the Bridger Teton with Scott Colusa, and knowing that they're for the four service, they're the first one, essentially friends organization.
Stephan Abrams:They're kind of a pilot program in some ways for what they're doing.
Stephan Abrams:Gosh, the impacts that the forest is receiving due to lack of funding, but also the increase in, in recreation by people that friends group is gonna make some major, major impacts into the quality of experience that people have on forests.
Michael Moeri:So you've been doing this for four years, Stephan.
Michael Moeri:I know we've already talked about a little bit of, some of the ups and downs and some of the struggles, but what does keep you motivated outside of let's see, outside of hearing the feedback, is there any other motivation that keeps you going?
Stephan Abrams:Stubborn Don't know when to stop.
Stephan Abrams:I would think as well, talking to people, it's just another way for me to chat and growing up around my grandfather's hardware store.
Stephan Abrams:And it was a slower time of life.
Stephan Abrams:It was that time of life.
Stephan Abrams:When there's no cell phones, there's no on demand television.
Stephan Abrams:Their telephone at his store was not rotary, but the cash register there was where you actually had to push buttons to get to $12 and 59 cents.
Stephan Abrams:And it didn't tell you how much change.
Stephan Abrams:So people would just come in and talk.
Stephan Abrams:They'd walk by the store and they'd come in and talk.
Stephan Abrams:And, and that's what I like is having that opportunity to.
Stephan Abrams:Be able to talk to people.
Michael Moeri:Do you have any instances where you had never met the person you did, the zoom interviews that you do and then you've ran into them in person over the past year?
Michael Moeri:Well, there's
Stephan Abrams:been a few people I've actually made appointments to meet with like Annie, Dr.
Stephan Abrams:Annie Finn with brain health.
Stephan Abrams:She and I had coffee afterwards.
Stephan Abrams:Have we run into people?
Stephan Abrams:I, yeah, probably my life is I kind of go to work and.
Stephan Abrams:Then in the afternoon, we're taking care of the kids.
Stephan Abrams:So not running into as many people as used to.
Michael Moeri:I would say Annie Finn was one of the interviews this past year that made a, it made a pretty good impact on me.
Michael Moeri:just because, so I have higher blood pressure and.
Michael Moeri:The stuff that she does is right on par with trying to keep that stuff in check.
Michael Moeri:So if on her website, have you looked at some of those recipes she has on her website?
Michael Moeri:She has some really good stuff on there for some really creative, healthy meals.
Michael Moeri:So actually I've been checking out her website regularly to get some ideas for new meals and keeping things fresh in the kitchen.
Michael Moeri:So I would say that was one of the, one of the interviews that actually made a pretty good impact for me this past.
Stephan Abrams:I'm I'm glad that to hear that it made an impact on you.
Stephan Abrams:and yeah, you need to get that blood pressure and check Michael.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:Well, I'm, I'm trying to work on it.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:Uh, well, we don't try.
Stephan Abrams:We do well,
Michael Moeri:I've lost 30 pounds in the past three months and I'm on blood pressure meds.
Michael Moeri:So
Stephan Abrams:I'm trying like nice, good work, Michael.
Stephan Abrams:Thanks.
Stephan Abrams:I have looked at Dr.
Stephan Abrams:Finn's website with her recipes.
Stephan Abrams:They are.
Stephan Abrams:Certainly very salivating reading 'em and eating well is easy, but what's not easy is us accepting that we need to do something different.
Stephan Abrams:And the action of doing something different.
Stephan Abrams:we as humans go to the path of least resistance.
Stephan Abrams:So you creating a new habit of eating differently.
Stephan Abrams:Then that will be your path to least resistance.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:I
Michael Moeri:mean, even just the past, three months, it's just become a, it, I'm not even, I'm not even calling it a diet.
Michael Moeri:It's just a lifestyle change.
Michael Moeri:calling stuff like a diet or a fat or anything like that is not the way to live.
Michael Moeri:It's just a making smarter choices is really what, what it comes down to you
Stephan Abrams:in.
Stephan Abrams:Uh, I agree.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah, don't call it a I, uh, with that about diet.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:Um, it's just being more educated, more knowledgeable about what you should put into your body.
Stephan Abrams:So we're gonna take a quick.
Stephan Abrams:And hear from one of our sponsors and we'll be right back.
Stephan Abrams:All
Michael Moeri:right.
Michael Moeri:So in the past four years, Stephan, how do you think you've grown as a person since starting this podcast?
Michael Moeri:Do you think you're the same guy you were four years ago?
Stephan Abrams:Well, I, I hope I'm not, and I'm not gonna hope that's not right.
Stephan Abrams:I am not the same person that I was four years ago.
Stephan Abrams:And I don't think any of us are the same people that we were one year to the next.
Stephan Abrams:And It's a matter of what we do with, with that time.
Stephan Abrams:And each person I speak with I'm learning something, I'm learning about them.
Stephan Abrams:I'm learning about their story.
Stephan Abrams:I'm learning about new information that can help me be a more informed individual.
Stephan Abrams:Bringing back to my family, share it with friends, people.
Stephan Abrams:When I talk to them.
Stephan Abrams:so am I different?
Stephan Abrams:Yeah, I'm certainly different.
Stephan Abrams:I still have a lot of growth.
Stephan Abrams:I know.
Stephan Abrams:Which is why I'm not gonna stop reading.
Stephan Abrams:I'm not gonna stop learning.
Stephan Abrams:And, I mean, I gotta be a learner as an example to teach the little guys, William, you wanna come join, come on over.
Stephan Abrams:And we, hi.
Stephan Abrams:William's it going?
Stephan Abrams:He's climbing up on the chair.
Stephan Abrams:How you feeling?
Stephan Abrams:You wanna say hello?
Stephan Abrams:Hello.
Michael Moeri:Hi.
Michael Moeri:We're celebrating four years of the Jackson Hole connection.
Michael Moeri:You've been a big part of it this year.
Michael Moeri:You've been mentioned in pretty much every episode, at
Stephan Abrams:least.
Stephan Abrams:Did you know, you are mention you and Lewis are mentioned in every podcast episode.
Stephan Abrams:We gotta say something in the microphone.
Michael Moeri:What's your, what's your favorite part of the Jackson hole connection?
Michael Moeri:Um,
Stephan Abrams:I just like doing stuff with the
Michael Moeri:microphone.
Michael Moeri:All right.
Michael Moeri:Yeah, me too.
Michael Moeri:I like that too.
Stephan Abrams:The boys love coming into the office and recording their own version of podcasts and they interview each other and interview their stuffed animals.
Stephan Abrams:Nice.
Michael Moeri:Yeah.
Michael Moeri:Yeah.
Michael Moeri:Both of my kids like doing that as well.
Michael Moeri:Like I have it connected at all times on the desk and they grab it, even though I ask them not to, but they still do it, but it's still cute.
Michael Moeri:You know?
Stephan Abrams:Do you do that?
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah, but I don't, but we don't know how to turn
Michael Moeri:it on.
Michael Moeri:I've show you how to Stephan.
Michael Moeri:Sometimes doesn't either
Stephan Abrams:yes.
Stephan Abrams:I've forgotten to
Michael Moeri:it's.
Michael Moeri:Alright.
Michael Moeri:There's just so many, a few of those where like, all right, I gotta pump up Stephan's vocals to make sure
Stephan Abrams:we get to hear him.
Stephan Abrams:Yes.
Stephan Abrams:Yes.
Stephan Abrams:so I'm, I'm good at making mistakes as we all are.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah,
Michael Moeri:that's right.
Stephan Abrams:Okay.
Michael Moeri:so over the past year, Stephan, is there a guest that made you laugh?
Michael Moeri:more than usual, I guess I would say.
Michael Moeri:What do you think was the funniest guess you had the past year?
Stephan Abrams:Hmm.
Stephan Abrams:Gosh, that's a tough one.
Stephan Abrams:I, I don't know.
Stephan Abrams:I know there's always some laughs in, in the episodes.
Stephan Abrams:I think just because I've been friends with Hal for so many years, having him on there and, and doing it in person was very moving.
Stephan Abrams:because people like how, uh, Little bit older he's in his eighties, people like that who are just happy and happy to be here, um, makes such a difference and had some good laughs with John Hammond as well.
Stephan Abrams:Uh, he and our buddies he's a very kind generous person and it was radical generosity.
Stephan Abrams:In business was, was what he talked about.
Stephan Abrams:And even though that's very serious, we can still have laughs and he, and I have certainly had some good experiences together out there on the trails.
Michael Moeri:I think the, the banter between, uh, Lily craft and max weather was pretty good.
Michael Moeri:The beyond skid cooking.
Michael Moeri:Couple, And Brian lens of the laugh staff is always pretty funny too, so that I think those are probably the funnier ones that I remember.
Michael Moeri:That's kind of stood out.
Michael Moeri:Um, Mikey Franco is a really funny, genuine person too.
Michael Moeri:I mean, he's always, uh, a blast to talk to.
Michael Moeri:So I've missed conversations with him when I talked to him at K
Stephan Abrams:well, All, all of those people, um, me singling one personality.
Michael Moeri:Oh no, I know.
Michael Moeri:It's hard to think off the cuff too.
Michael Moeri:It's been it, it is over 200 episodes.
Michael Moeri:So you have to think back who was even recent.
Michael Moeri:So
Stephan Abrams:yeah.
Stephan Abrams:How many episodes did we have in 2022?
Stephan Abrams:so we
Michael Moeri:went from.
Michael Moeri:1 59 to 2 0 7, about 52 weeks a year.
Michael Moeri:That's right.
Michael Moeri:Yeah, we could guessed average of 52.
Michael Moeri:And so yeah, about 50
Stephan Abrams:or so, somewhere around there.
Stephan Abrams:And, and Michael, you are now starting your own podcast.
Stephan Abrams:The moving question that you're gonna launch, you said October-ish and October-ish yeah.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:I said October is only a few weeks away.
Stephan Abrams:how did you come about the, the name, the moving question and wanting to do your own podcast?
Michael Moeri:so the name itself came from.
Michael Moeri:So when you move somewhere and you know this, you, you ask it a lot.
Michael Moeri:You ask it every single week in your podcast, basically.
Michael Moeri:So why did you move here?
Michael Moeri:Why did you pick Jackson hole to move to?
Michael Moeri:So I live in Bellingham, Washington now, and I get the same question out here.
Michael Moeri:Why did you move to Bellingham?
Michael Moeri:Why did you pick this area?
Michael Moeri:And so I consider that basically the moving question.
Michael Moeri:Why mm-hmm why did you come to this area?
Michael Moeri:But it's kind of more of a overarching question now at this point.
Michael Moeri:So the moving question could be, basically anything.
Michael Moeri:Why, what was the biggest challenge when you were moving?
Michael Moeri:Why did you decide to move?
Michael Moeri:Why did you pick this area?
Michael Moeri:So there's more questions than just that one, but typically when you move summers, like why did you pick.
Michael Moeri:and the idea kind of spurred from our move from Jackson to Bellingham.
Michael Moeri:I moved quite a bit when I was a kid as well.
Michael Moeri:So just talking to people that have picked up and moved, uh, and kind of focusing on families that have picked up and moved, because I feel like that changes things quite a bit.
Michael Moeri:It was my first move with, uh, a child moving from Jackson to Bellingham.
Michael Moeri:It's a whole other experience, being able to bring other people's lives into that move.
Michael Moeri:and so just talking to other people and helping people that are in the place of either picking up and moving themselves or thinking about moving, or maybe just moved and just trying to provide tips and advice, uh, to those people that are looking for it, because it can be a pretty solitary thing when you're moving.
Michael Moeri:You're usually the only person that's gonna be picking up and moving to that area, unless they're within.
Michael Moeri:Immediate family.
Michael Moeri:Usually there's in a group of people that are gonna pick up together and move to a certain area.
Michael Moeri:That's just not typically how it happens.
Michael Moeri:So it's just kind of a way for people to listen to other people's stories and just kind of relate to other people.
Stephan Abrams:That's, that's beautiful, Michael, very well thought out and people move all the time.
Stephan Abrams:I think you'll find lots of people
Michael Moeri:to talk.
Michael Moeri:Yeah.
Michael Moeri:Yeah, it's been fun.
Michael Moeri:I've already done a few interviews, but as I know, working on this podcast, trying to have a good group of interviews in the can ready to go.
Michael Moeri:Mm-hmm is a good way to make sure you're not trying to get somebody in the last minute to keep the episodes coming.
Michael Moeri:So , so I'm trying to learn from past experiences as well.
Stephan Abrams:There you go.
Stephan Abrams:And, and my family and I we've been, we've moved a few times this year.
Stephan Abrams:We pulled the plug to make some changes to our living situation and going from a, a small house with two bedrooms, one bath to a little bit bigger house and doing so we gave my first home that I bought, we gave it away.
Stephan Abrams:It went away on shacks on racks.com back in may.
Stephan Abrams:I created.
Stephan Abrams:YouTube channel and Instagram called building in the hole in 22, 22.
Stephan Abrams:I always mess it up when I make videos, but that's all right.
Stephan Abrams:And this summer, well, last fall we bought a camper, which is for sale by, by the way I saw that.
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Stephan Abrams:And still for sale.
Stephan Abrams:Okay.
Stephan Abrams:It's still for sale.
Stephan Abrams:camper.
Stephan Abrams:Market's not as high as it was a little bit ago.
Stephan Abrams:And we lived in a camper from April 29th to.
Stephan Abrams:Labor day weekend.
Stephan Abrams:And the nice thing about moving out of a camper is when somebody rolls over the whole thing, your whole room doesn't shake anymore.
Stephan Abrams:when we're not living in there, but there was never a moment that anybody said, I can't do this.
Stephan Abrams:I can't do this anymore today.
Michael Moeri:And so now, where are you?
Michael Moeri:Where are you situated at the
Stephan Abrams:moment?
Stephan Abrams:We have some family friends that are kinda like my parents out.
Stephan Abrams:I'm I've come full circle to my living situation.
Stephan Abrams:Michael, when I first moved out here to live with my brother, I lived in somebody's apartment, north of town and they've remodeled apartments a little bit different, a little bit smaller, but that's where we're living right now.
Stephan Abrams:in that apartment.
Stephan Abrams:And the beautiful part is, is they said, stay as long as you need.
Stephan Abrams:We don't have to worry about, are these folks gonna sell their house?
Stephan Abrams:And are we gonna have to find a different place to move into?
Stephan Abrams:we're very, very blessed And the thing is, is when we moved into the camper, when we were doing that, we had no idea where we were gonna go in the fall, but we moved into the camper.
Stephan Abrams:And that day we were over at Sandy and Susan's and he is like, Hey, our, our tenant just turned in saying that they're moving.
Stephan Abrams:Do you guys wanna rent the apartment from us?
Stephan Abrams:Yeah.
Michael Moeri:and how, how was the progress going on your, your new home?
Michael Moeri:That's going in place?
Stephan Abrams:It's all about windows.
Stephan Abrams:I'm waiting to hear from the builder, the manufacturer, and, uh, and I in Utah about if our windows arrive, cuz once when windows arrive, they can install those and then finish the rest of the stuff.
Stephan Abrams:But they frame that sucker like in four weeks I went down there two weeks ago.
Stephan Abrams:It's completely framed.
Stephan Abrams:It has all the electrical run and they were working on the plumbing and mechanical getting all that put in place.
Stephan Abrams:And it's all in a factory inside 60,000 square foot facility.
Stephan Abrams:And there had to have been 20 homes in there.
Stephan Abrams:Hmm.
Stephan Abrams:Now there weren't always many modules as ours.
Stephan Abrams:Mm-hmm but still shows just how much they're working on all at once.
Michael Moeri:And going back to episode 200 with Esther.
Michael Moeri:She mentioned that, was there a letter from the previous, the people that actually got your old home, were you able to check out that letter that they wrote to Esther about the
Stephan Abrams:home I did and I should share that it is a beautiful, beautiful letter and they were so grateful to be able to receive that structure, our old home, because building costs have gone up.
Stephan Abrams:So.
Stephan Abrams:That for them to go do a stick-built house is just beyond their budget.
Stephan Abrams:And that's why we did a modular home is to build the structure itself is about half of what it would cost to build a stick-built home.
Stephan Abrams:Have you been able to go check it out?
Stephan Abrams:We haven't.
Stephan Abrams:Laura is the main one who stays in touch with them and we've just lost touch.
Stephan Abrams:So hopefully this fall will make it over there and be able to see it.
Stephan Abrams:but we're very excited for them to have it.
Stephan Abrams:They will.
Stephan Abrams:They're probably in it by now, if not very soon.
Stephan Abrams:And it was wild to see your house, it was emotional to see your house.
Stephan Abrams:Being moved by semi.
Michael Moeri:I can only imagine.
Michael Moeri:Yeah.
Michael Moeri:Yeah.
Michael Moeri:I mean, I don't, I don't think our house here in Bellingham would move, would be able to move our structure.
Michael Moeri:it was built in 1915.
Michael Moeri:So , I don't think it'd be able to be moved maybe, maybe, but I, yeah, I can only imagine I mean, you were in the paper too.
Michael Moeri:Your house actually in the paper.
Michael Moeri:It's pretty unusual for somebody to see their house being on a big, uh, flatbed truck being moved downtown.
Michael Moeri:So
Stephan Abrams:there are so many Keystone life moments that happened in that house.
Stephan Abrams:I proposed a Laura in that house.
Stephan Abrams:our windows that we put in were our wedding gift.
Stephan Abrams:And that's where we brought both of our boys home from the hospital.
Stephan Abrams:so that's where we had our wedding.
Stephan Abrams:Reception is at that house and the house is help build the memories, but the memories will always be with us and we'll still be in the same lot.
Michael Moeri:All right.
Michael Moeri:So Stephan, what other takeaways you have over the past year or past four years?
Michael Moeri:And what can people expect from the Jackson hole connection in year five?
Stephan Abrams:Um, biggest takeaway over the past four years is
Stephan Abrams:there's always ups and downs in, in life with everyone.
Stephan Abrams:And.
Stephan Abrams:From looking outside in people, just see, Hey, you're producing all these podcasts.
Stephan Abrams:They're great.
Stephan Abrams:you keep getting it done.
Stephan Abrams:Awesome.
Stephan Abrams:It's a real struggle to get it done, but at the same time, I still enjoy doing it.
Stephan Abrams:So for everybody to realize for whatever you see in what is marketed or advertised.
Stephan Abrams:there's another side to the story.
Stephan Abrams:And if you have a struggle, you're not alone and don't ever feel as though that you are alone, so find someone to help you with it.
Stephan Abrams:so please get out there and, and, and, and reach out for help.
Stephan Abrams:Talking to people is so therapeutic and, and getting into deep conversation.
Stephan Abrams:Genuine conversation is very therapeutic.
Stephan Abrams:And what can people expect from the Jackson hole connection in the next year is to still have engaging content, to still help share people's stories.
Stephan Abrams:And later today, I interview somebody that I've known for probably 20 years and being able to reconnect with, with her I'm I'm, I'm extremely excited.
Stephan Abrams:She has a, a very, heartfelt story.
Stephan Abrams:And, and I say that not with a pun in any way.
Stephan Abrams:so I'm very excited to, to talk with Suzanne this afternoon.
Michael Moeri:All right.
Michael Moeri:That's all I got.
Michael Moeri:S Stephan, anything else you wanna talk
Stephan Abrams:about?
Stephan Abrams:I just appreciate year support Michael and sticking with me, and I, I appreciate the people who.
Stephan Abrams:Continue to listen and they share the episodes and, and they write to us to let us know about that.
Stephan Abrams:They listen to the episode and that's what keeps it going.
Stephan Abrams:can't say that it'll go on forever.
Stephan Abrams:Everything has an ending, but usually with an ending there's a new, bright beginning
Michael Moeri:as well.
Michael Moeri:All right.
Michael Moeri:S Stephan, well, that's the recap of year four.
Michael Moeri:it's been a pleasure working with you the past year as always.
Michael Moeri:And I appreciate everything that you're doing for my family and for the community in Jackson, and you have a lot going on there.
Michael Moeri:So I think you should probably get back to it.
Michael Moeri:And I look forward to you talking to you next time.
Stephan Abrams:Indeed.
Stephan Abrams:Thank you, Michael.
Stephan Abrams:It was great to see you today and get
Michael Moeri:to talk to.
Michael Moeri:Yeah, you too, Stephen.
Michael Moeri:All right.
Michael Moeri:Bye.
Michael Moeri:All right, bye.
Stephan Abrams:To learn more about the Jackson hole connection and other episodes, you can go to the Jackson hole, connection.com.
Stephan Abrams:Look for episodes on the top and you can actually type in a search and type in somebody's name.
Stephan Abrams:You can search by month.
Stephan Abrams:so there's a lot of different ways to find the Jackson hole connection.
Stephan Abrams:Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, give us some comments which you think.
Stephan Abrams:And again, I really couldn't do this without the support that Michael has offered to me over the past few years of marketing this podcast and doing the editing.
Stephan Abrams:Over four years.
Stephan Abrams:And of course my wife, Laura, and my boys Lewis and William, I love you dearly.
Stephan Abrams:And just so happens when I'm recording this.
Stephan Abrams:It is my anniversary week.
Stephan Abrams:So, uh, happy 11 years to me and to Laura for being together more so to her, she's put up with me for 11 years.
Stephan Abrams:thank you so much for your time.
Stephan Abrams:Cheers.
Stephan Abrams:Till next week.
